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www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 7 - Issue 6
InFocus
Getting To Grips
With Supports
Contributing Editor David Kirk surveys the latest
developments in camera support systems...
A
key differentiator between digital
cinematography and standard
video production is that the cine
photographers have always made a
serious effort to keep their cameras
steady. The alternative, shooting from
the shoulder or, worse, handheld, was
just about acceptable in the days of
small-screen CRT displays and arguably
tolerable when viewing on mobile
phones. But viewers watching modern
relatively-large display screens at
home or in public viewing spaces such
as cinemas, appreciate steady control
of camera movement even if they are
not consciously aware of it. So what's
new in this product area?
Cartoni's Total Dutch adds third axis
lateral rotation to any classic heavy
duty pan and tilt head, allowing 360
degree rotation driven by a steering
wheel. Two 1 kg counterweights
balance rotation around the optical
centre. The unit can be installed on top
of any head via two 3/8 inch screws or
combined with a Lambda 25 Dutch axis
plus the camera stage of the Lambda
25 head.
DJI's Ronin 2 stabiliser has a large
camera cage and 50 mm extendable
arms claimed to support everything
from DSLRs to full cinematic cameras
and lenses. Its gimbal motors are
NS VR 360
three-axis
motorised gimbal
from Konova
DJI Ronin 2 stabiliser
designed to handle payloads up to 13.6
kg. With onboard GPS, the Ronin 2 can
travel at speeds of up to 120 km/h.
Easyrig has integrated two versions
of its Mini camera support into the
Minimax with lightweight cameras in
mind. It offers the same features as
the larger Easyrig.
Glidecam's Tru-Horizon allows a
camera to travel from low to high
mode and back again in a single
movement while remaining level and
horizontal. A built in slip-ring allows
360 degree rotations without twisting
wires. Sensors feed position data
to a control processor giving stable
video in all three axes with a claimed
0.02 degrees of accuracy. Load
weight range is 0.45 to 2.26 kg. Also
Cartoni Total Dutch
Glidecam
Tru-Horizon
keeps it all level
introduced recently, Glidecam's X-20
camera stabiliser is designed for film
and video cameras weighing from 4.5
to 9 kg. It consists of a support arm,
support vest and a support sled. The
support arm can be boomed up and
down, as well as pivoted in and out and
side to side.
Kessler's Pocket Jib Pro can
accommodate a load of up to 22.6kg
in any length configuration. It can
also be mounted on Kessler sliders to
create a jib and mini-dolly in one unit.
When the jib is not in use or a static
shot is required, an included locking
pin allows users to lock the jib in place.
Integral drag control helps operators
obtain smooth shots.
Tension is adjustable.
KFX
Technology's
MYT Velvet camera
motion
control
head can be operated
via a joystick control
console that has functions
for setting speed, end stops
and
direction.
Options
are available for pan bar
or hand wheel control. Also
available from KFX is a motorised
camera slider for the MYT GlideLine.
Designed to give the maximum
amount of movement on the slider,
the motor system powering the MYT
Glide has enough power to move up
to 200 pounds at up to 60 cm/s. The
end stops are programmable and
can be feathered in and out. The unit
can travel at a 45 degree angle with
no need for a counterweight. The
first collaboration between KFX and
MYT began with the motorisation of
the MYT Constellation skater dolly
from the MYT Galaxy Line. The MYT
Constellation is a camera skater dolly
that runs on regular speed rails and
allows motor controlled tracking shots
of up to 90 metres.
Konova has introduced the NS VR
360 three-axis motorised gimbal for
use with DJI drones. Holding a GoPro
Hero 3, 4 or 5 camera, it has a 30
cm vertical carbon-fibre tube and
can operate at angles of up to +/- 30
degrees from vertical.
Libec's HFMP (Hands-Free MonoPod)
is self-supporting on its integral minitripod base. Compatible with a wide
range of cameras, it allow users to
make equipment adjustments between
shots without the need to lay the
monopod on the floor or lean it against
the wall. The head permits tilt and pan
and is compatible with 65 mm bowl/
flat base tripods, monopods,
sliders, skater dollies, and
other equipment with
3/8 inch screws.
Kessler Pocket Jib Pro